Synonyms of calm

calm 1 of 3

adjective

1

as in quiet

free from storms or physical disturbance

after a stormy night of high winds and driving rains, the day dawned on a calm sea

Synonyms & Similar Words

• quiet
• tranquil
• serene
• peaceful
• placid
• hushed
• still
• untroubled
• sunny
• gentle
• halcyon
• clear
• mild
• temperate
• lown
• equable
• moderate
• stilly
• balmy
• clement
• windless
• cloudless
• sunshiny
• rainless
• fair

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• angry
• turbulent
• restless
• agitated
• unsettled
• stormy
• rough
• unquiet
• tempestuous
• inclement
• windy
• blustery
• extreme
• severe
• intemperate
• foul
• nasty
• squally
• blizzardy
• blizzardly

2

as in serene

free from emotional or mental agitation

bystanders tried to help the injured person remain calm while they waited for the ambulance to arrive

Synonyms & Similar Words

• serene
• peaceful
• composed
• tranquil
• collected
• placid
• smooth
• unruffled
• undisturbed
• possessed
• unperturbed
• steady
• confident
• sedate
• cool
• at peace
• untroubled
• unshaken
• unworried
• limpid
• relaxed
• centered
• level
• mellow
• recollected
• together
• self-possessed
• relieved
• equal
• coolheaded
• nonchalant
• self-composed
• imperturbable
• unflappable
• well-balanced
• detached
• equable
• unshakable
• easygoing
• even-keeled
• carefree
• tranquillized
• sober
• aloof
• dispassionate
• disciplined
• affable
• tranquilized
• unconcerned
• breezy
• phlegmatic
• nerveless
• assured
• well-adjusted
• even
• laid-back
• impassive
• self-controlled
• indifferent
• stolid
• self-assured
• self-contained
• happy-go-lucky
• bovine
• loosey-goosey
• devil-may-care

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• disturbed
• upset
• agitated
• anxious
• perturbed
• nervous
• uneasy
• unsettled
• distressed
• unstrung
• bothered
• worried
• unquiet
• restless
• flustered
• tense
• jittery
• unhinged
• jumpy
• unglued
• discomposed
• unstable
• skittish
• uptight
• high-strung

3

as in peaceful

free from disturbing noise or uproar

the room became much calmer once the rowdy tour group had left

Synonyms & Similar Words

• quiet
• peaceful
• serene
• placid
• restful
• tranquil
• quieted
• hushed
• silent
• still
• arcadian
• stilly
• noiseless
• soft
• mute
• motionless
• gentle
• soundless
• quiescent
• speechless
• wordless
• muted
• muffled
• dull
• dead
• low
• ultraquiet

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• loud
• boisterous
• noisy
• tumultuous
• raucous
• rowdy
• unquiet
• clamorous
• deafening
• woolly
• uproarious
• wild
• crazy
• wooly
• roistering
• tempestuous
• romping
• clattery
• rip-roaring
• thunderous
• booming
• roaring
• piercing
• thundering
• earsplitting
• blasting
• blaring

calm

2 of 3

noun

ˈkäm 

1

as in restfulness

a state of freedom from storm or disturbance

vacationing city dwellers who are tired of the hustle and bustle enjoy the calm of the secluded mountain village

Synonyms & Similar Words

• restfulness
• quiet
• serenity
• sereneness
• quietness
• tranquillity
• calmness
• still
• quietude
• tranquility
• silence
• peace
• hush
• peacefulness
• stillness
• placidity
• lull
• repose
• respite
• pause
• harmony
• concord
• comity
• informality
• mildness
• casualness
• soothingness
• relaxedness
• easygoingness
• laid-backness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• commotion
• turmoil
• unrest
• bustle
• tumult
• pandemonium
• hubbub
• uproar
• noise
• hurly-burly
• unquietness
• clamor
• din
• racket

2

as in peace

freedom from disquieting or oppressive thoughts or emotions

the batter always exudes an aura of calm, even in clutch situations

Synonyms & Similar Words

• peace
• peacefulness
• tranquillity
• serenity
• ease
• calmness
• sereneness
• tranquility
• placidity
• heartsease
• contentment
• comfort
• quiet
• relief
• content
• solace
• consolation
• quietude
• repose

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• anxiety
• agitation
• alarm
• apprehension
• anguish
• uneasiness
• concern
• worry
• stress
• care
• tension
• perturbation
• vexation
• strain
• disturbance
• anxiousness
• distress
• nervousness
• discomfort
• fear
• apprehensiveness
• desperation
• upset
• alarum
• distraction
• tenseness
• dismay
• consternation
• uncertainty
• torment
• doubt
• suspense
• jitters
• foreboding
• dread
• discomposure
• desperateness
• jumpiness
• edginess
• fearfulness
• misgiving
• presentiment
• incertitude

calm

3 of 3

verb

1

as in to soothe

to free from distress or disturbance

the president's reassuring words did much to calm the public during the national emergency

Synonyms & Similar Words

• soothe
• lull
• quiet
• compose
• relax
• appease
• still
• settle
• quieten
• salve
• tranquillize
• tranquilize
• becalm
• hush
• relieve
• quell
• lullaby
• pacify
• ease
• placate
• mollify
• conciliate
• alleviate
• allay
• mitigate
• sedate
• solace
• assuage
• lay
• narcotize
• stupefy

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• upset
• disturb
• perturb
• agitate
• intensify
• vex
• heighten
• aggravate
• disquiet
• arouse
• stir (up)
• key (up)
• discompose
• rouse
• excite
• incite
• foment
• work up

2

as in to contain

to gain emotional or mental control of

he calmed himself before continuing the eulogy

Synonyms & Similar Words

• contain
• compose
• restrain
• control
• collect
• settle
• re-collect
• quiet
• soothe
• hold back
• recover
• lull
• rally
• tranquillize
• tranquilize
• still

Try This Instead

For

Try This

a calm demeanor

a cool demeanor

a placid demeanor

a tranquil demeanor

a peaceful demeanor

a relaxed demeanor

calm determination

quiet determination

cool determination

stoic determination

placid determination

tranquil determination

calm dignity

quiet dignity

serene dignity

tranquil dignity

placid dignity

gentle dignity

calm wind

gentle wind

soft wind

mild wind

light wind

tranquil wind

Synonym Chooser

How is the word calm different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of calm are peaceful, placid, serene, and tranquil. While all these words mean "quiet and free from disturbance," calm often implies a contrast with a foregoing or nearby state of agitation or violence.

the protests ended, and the streets were calm again

When is peaceful a more appropriate choice than calm?

In some situations, the words peaceful and calm are roughly equivalent. However, peaceful implies a state of repose in contrast with or following strife or turmoil.

grown peaceful in old age

When might placid be a better fit than calm?

The words placid and calm can be used in similar contexts, but placid suggests an undisturbed appearance and often implies a degree of complacency.

remained placid despite the criticism

When would serene be a good substitute for calm?

Although the words serene and calm have much in common, serene stresses an unclouded and lofty tranquility.

watched the sunset of a serene summer's evening

When can tranquil be used instead of calm?

The synonyms tranquil and calm are sometimes interchangeable, but tranquil suggests a very deep quietude or composure.

the tranquil beauty of a formal garden

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of calm

Adjective

Practice active listening and maintain a calm, collected demeanor. —Ashton Jackson, CNBC, 10 May 2025

Wellness Is the answer to a calmer life really this simple? —Anya Meyerowitz, Glamour, 9 May 2025

Noun

Despite Jacmel’s sense of calm compared to Port-au-Prince, there’s fear that the terror strangling the capital and its neighboring Artibonite region will spread. —Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 27 Apr. 2025

The goal is to bring your body back to a state of calm, as well as possibly reduce soreness and stiffness later on. —Cindy Kuzma, SELF, 25 Apr. 2025

Verb

That's the part of the brain that controls emotions, and GABA is the brain chemical that helps calm your circuits. —Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 6 May 2025

Now that the hubbub around Rihanna’s pregnancy announcement has calmed down, fans, of course, are onto their next question: When is Rihanna’s due date? —Jason Pham, StyleCaster, 5 May 2025

Phrases Containing calm

• calm (down)